Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-12-29
CAST UPON THE WORLD.
CHAPTE.. XIII.-CoNrINuEn.

cream.
The book-keeper was the first to break the
tableau. A strange expression took posses
sion of his features. His eyes frightened
and, passing his hand across his brow, he
started forward, as If to follow Ella, but Nor
ton grasped him by the arm.
Where are you gongl.' he asked.
"After her." answered Redheld, endeavor-
ing to release himself from Norton's clutch.
"Are you mad! Why do you wish to fol-
low this beggarN'
''She is no beggar, but poor, abused
woman, who shall find a friend In me. 1
recognize her. She Is the daughter of your
benefacior and late employer, Richard
Thorndyke."
"You know herl" exclaimed Norton, in
amazemcnt.
''Ycs, and YOU too Frederick Norton |" he
replied; 81 know you to be the villain she
has described you"
''Do you dare accuse me-" replied Norton,
with well-assumed dignity--"your employer,
whose reputation is untarnished--on the
strength OF this wretch's sandcrW
"Iknow you to be a Jorgsr, and / suspect you
to be MURDERER!" exclaimed Redfield.
Norton rccoiled.
81 never saw you before you entered
my employ" he gasped. "Who are you,
who profess to know so much"
''Robcrt Stanford" replied the other. Nor
ton staggered as If he had received blow on
the head. "You turn pale and you fear me
now because you realize / am free man
that the law has no claim upon me. payed
my debt, served out my full term. prayed
nightly in my plson-ccll that l might live to
L.. L.. 81 n
found you were in California, aud followed
you there, but only to learn that you had re-
turned East the day before my arrival. l
sought emplo ment under the name of Rcd
field, and obtained it from your superintend-
ent At the end of eight months had won
his confidence and esteem, and found it all
easy matter to procure from him the strong
letter of introduction and recommendation
with which returned to New York. / knew
that / had changed beyond recognition.
presented my letter TO you and obtained n
position here-the position l sought-in order
that might be ever near you to watch you,
hoping and praying that the day would come
when chance would place in my hands the
means Of bringing about your downfall.
thirsted for revenge"
"What-what will you dol" cried Norton,
with pallid lips.
Expose you to the world !" replied Robert,
bitterly. you wrought my ruin brought
my mothers gray hairs to the grave. Her
whole heart was wrapped up in mel was her
pride. All of her hopes of the future were
conferred in me. You crossed my path, and,
with a cruel hand, destroyed all. l have lived
but for revenge. II only for the sake Of the
poor girl who left us but a moment ago, you
shall be unmasked."
Tremblingly Norton raised his eyes. He
saw Robert moving toward the door, He
realized that there was in the history OF his
life many black pages, and he felt that the
finger OF suspicion, once raised toward him,
would lead to their disclosure and the man
who was leaving him was going forth to pro.
claim him forger, and perhaps murderer
for had he not limited that he was suchl
What should he dot Permit him to depart
in peacel FOOL Why had he stood there,
trembling and crnging like q whipped cura
Was this the conduct for man of his charac
ter to displayl No. This man must be pre-
vented from leaving the place. He appeared
to draw himself together, as a tiger does be.
fore it springs upon its prey. All appearance
OF fear vanished from his face. HIS eyes
the door of the Office into the warehouse, and
seized the retreating man roughly by the
throat The attack was 80 sudden and unex-
pected that Robert had no time to cry out.
you have laid your plans WELL" Kissed
Norton-"played your part to perfection, and
now nothing remains but for YOU to denounce
me. So you think, but we differ. Here / do
not fear YOU, and here you shall remain"
He seized a malet from the top of a casll
near by. His grip upon his victims throat
-elaxcd slightly, and Robert, in horror, cried
''Grcat God! Do you mean to murder met"
lie struggled violently to escape, but the
fingers frightened again about his windpipc.
The mallet was raised above his head for an
instant, then it descended with q dull thud,
and, staggering backward he fell heavily To
the floor. Norton shot n quick glance toward
the door. 1t was too late in the day for many
people to be passing. The street appeared to
be deserted. He bent forward, and, seizing
an iron ring which was fastened to the floor,
raised large trap-door, which opened into
the cellar. puff Of cool, musty air struck
his face. He graspcd the arm Of the sense
less man at his feet, and dragged him roughly
forward, until his body rested upon the very
edge of the opening, and then, with a cruel
kick, lie sent him plunging head foremost
down into the darkness below.
The nightwatchman, passing the building
three hours later, saw the gas burning low 10
the rear of the Office, as usual; but could he
have looked into the dismal cellar beneath,
his eyes would have rested upon scene which
would have transfxed him with horror
There, by the dim light of a small lantern, b,
would have bcheld man who, having remov
ed a portion of the stone tagging OF which
the floor consisted, was digging hole with Q
spade in the earth beneath, while behind him
near pile of casks, upon the damp stones
lay human form with upturned face white
and ghasty-thc face Of a corpse.
The next day the superintendent OF police
was notified that Thomas Redfeld, book
keeper and cashier In the employ OF Frederick
Norton, the wel-known wine merchant, hat
disappeared, aud that considerable amour
of money was missing from the safe OF hi
employer, by whom full description OF TIT
man was furnished, and liberal reward TO
his apprehension offered.